No. 4 Cal Eyes Seventh-Straight Pac-12 Title

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BERKELEY –No. 4 California women’s crew eyes its seventh-straight Pac-12 women’s rowing title when the Golden Bears head to Lake Natoma this Sunday to compete in the conference championships at Gold River. Cal has won the last six Pac-12 team rowing titles and nine of the last ten overall.

The Bears, ranked No. 4 in the latest CRCA/USRowing Coaches Poll released on Wednesday, are part of a highly-competitive field that consists of seven crews ranked in the top-20 and four crews among the top-10. Cal will race against No. 3 Stanford, No. 7 Washington, No. 8 USC, No. 12 UCLA, No. 15 Washington State and No. 19 Oregon State in the conference championships.

"Our conference is always strong, and this is particularly true this year,” head coach Dave O’Neill said. “We've had some good success at this championship in past years, but I'd have to say we're the underdogs heading into it this weekend. Our team knows what needs to be done, and it should be a great championship."

Cal began the season as the top-ranked team, and opened the season with a win by the second varsity eight at the San Diego Crew Classic. The Bears then followed with a first-place overall finish at the Lake Natoma Invitational. Cal’s varsity eight avenged a loss to Washington in Seattle a year ago by capturing the Simpson Cup at home in their annual dual rivalry meeting. Cal will look to reverse a loss to then-No. 4 Stanford that ended the regular season, as the Cardinal took five of six from the then-No. 2 Golden Bears.

Last season, Cal claimed the team title at the Pac-12 Championships with victories in the varsity four and second varsity. The Bears totaled 39 points to edge second-place and top-ranked USC (37.5) and third place Washington (36.5). Cal took third in the varsity eight behind USC and Washington and second in the novice eight.

You can follow the Bears for live race updates throughout the day on Sunday at the Pac-12 Championships and all year long on their official Twitter handle @CalWCrew.

The Pac-12 Rowing Championships will be televised tape delay on Pac-12 Networks. The show is scheduled to air on Saturday, May 24 at 9:30 a.m. (PT).

To get to Lake Natoma, fans can use the address 1901 Hazel Ave., Gold River, CA 95670. The Sacramento State Aquatic Center is located near the main viewing area.

Parking fees are determined by the State of California for the Nimbus Flat State Park. The current cost per car is $10, but is subject to change. Once the State Park is full, all vehicles will be sent to overflow parking where the cost is $5 per car and cash only.

Admission is $5 per person at the Pac-12 Championships. Cash only will be accepted.